International Research Assistant position

[jamebex]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this.

l'm a recent graduate of biochemistry interested in doing a research assistantship abroad -Germany or US.

I'm having difficulty in securing this probably I'm doing it the wrong way because I saw couple of people who said they went abroad for a RA job before coming back to apply for graduate school.

What have I been doing? Ve been searching for summer research programmes and they all seem to be taking Undergraduates only and also for US residents.

Should I just apply directly to the lab I'm very interested in?

please I need help on this.

thanks

[Asimio]

Arg, still no replies? Help us guys!

[floatingmolecule]

I would be interested to get some tips here as well. If anyone can help us with some info on this, it would be great!

[nutellarain]

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this.

l'm a recent graduate of biochemistry interested in doing a research assistantship abroad -Germany or US.

I'm having difficulty in securing this probably I'm doing it the wrong way because I saw couple of people who said they went abroad for a RA job before coming back to apply for graduate school.

What have I been doing? Ve been searching for summer research programmes and they all seem to be taking Undergraduates only and also for US residents.

Should I just apply directly to the lab I'm very interested in?

please I need help on this.

thanks

Well, all of those summer programs generally will only accept US students since they often rely on government funding. Are you only looking for summer programs? If you want an actual paid job, you need to apply to research associate/assistant jobs. Those are at various companies and universities, they should all have website listings with jobs available. 

 

If you don't have much experience, it may be difficult to get a paid job. You can also email lab directly to inquire if you can volunteer, though I assume volunteering is more difficult to secure visas for. 

[babybird]

There's an international person working in my lab now as a lab technician, getting research experience before applying for graduate school.

 

My PI posted on the university job website that he was looking for a tech, and brought in applicants. It's more work for my PI to hire an international person, but this person was the most qualified so they got the job.

 

Another way to do this is to cold-email professors with whom you are interested in working and ask if they are looking for a lab tech. I would actually recommend doing this over applying to various random positions that you find on university job listings. (Often those positions are technically posted for a specific person, but legally the PI has interview several people before extending a job offer.) In your email you can explain your qualifications and that you are international, and the PI will let you if that's a possibility for them.

[aberrant]

When you said research assistant, do you mean working in the lab without working towards any sorts of degree?

 

With the current funding situation, I do not foresee most PI would "employ" someone non-citizen to "work" in the lab as a tech, or, "research assistant", without being a graduate student. To simplify the situation, let's just say that "it is too much work (paperwork) to get a research assistant / lab tech from somewhere else in the world, who will NOT be a phd student of his/her program at his/her school." VISA, insurance, many of these things can be taken care of by the school/program if you come in as a graduate student, but if you are just here to do research, it just not worth the effort, both time and money.

 

If you already have some research experience, then you might as well apply to the program (where the PI unders) as a graduate student, and start working on your application.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[Asimio]

When you said research assistant, do you mean working in the lab without working towards any sorts of degree?

 

With the current funding situation, I do not foresee most PI would "employ" someone non-citizen to "work" in the lab as a tech, or, "research assistant", without being a graduate student. To simplify the situation, let's just say that "it is too much work (paperwork) to get a research assistant / lab tech from somewhere else in the world, who will NOT be a phd student of his/her program at his/her school." VISA, insurance, many of these things can be taken care of by the school/program if you come in as a graduate student, but if you are just here to do research, it just not worth the effort, both time and money.

 

If you already have some research experience, then you might as well apply to the program (where the PI unders) as a graduate student, and start working on your application.

 

Just my 2 cents.

That sounds very plausible. You think even an unpaid position would be hard to secure? Most of the international departments I contacted advised me to engage with faculty and then they would sponsor my visa. 

As for the real deal, I have no idea how receptive faculty is to inexperienced international (double disadvantage, ouch!) students such as myself who want to get in on some hands on experience with the giants of the field. I've sent a couple of emails today after reviewing the work everyone is up to. One good thing is that you really get to find out who is up to what (although the research is highly specialised and very often becomes difficult to follow)

Sigh.  I need experience!

[babybird]

With the current funding situation, I do not foresee most PI would "employ" someone non-citizen to "work" in the lab as a tech, or, "research assistant", without being a graduate student.

 

 

I sorta disagree with this. Sure, a lot of labs are feeling the crunch, but there are still many good labs with good grant funding. The positions might be harder to find, and applications will have to have a competitive application... but they are still out there.

 

It also depends on the kind of lab you are looking at. An older lab with lots of members might be less willing to free up time/money/resources. But a newer lab that has lots of startup money and is looking for people to get experiments going? That's a much better shot. I recommend applying with newer faculty who are hoping to get people at the bench working. 

[aberrant]

I sorta disagree with this. Sure, a lot of labs are feeling the crunch, but there are still many good labs with good grant funding. The positions might be harder to find, and applications will have to have a competitive application... but they are still out there.

 

It also depends on the kind of lab you are looking at. An older lab with lots of members might be less willing to free up time/money/resources. But a newer lab that has lots of startup money and is looking for people to get experiments going? That's a much better shot. I recommend applying with newer faculty who are hoping to get people at the bench working. 

 

If you were a PI, can you list any advantages of getting a non-citizen research assistant/lab tech, instead of

1. a citizen post-bac who may/may not have previous research experience

2. an undergraduate who has no research experience

3. an undergraduate who has research experience

4. a PhD student

5. an international post-doc who just wanted to be a research scientist

6. a citizen post-doc who just wanted to be a research scientist

 

I don't know how other people run their labs, but I would imagine that both new / old professors whose lab has some sort of funding and productive would recruit a postdoc for the research work, and an undergraduate/volunteer to do the dishes, and maybe a MS degree holder, who may/may not be the spouse of the lab member, to be the lab tech. Getting a post-doc researcher is actually, believe it or not, cheaper than a PhD student. Tuition + stipend of a PhD student, while depending on location, is very likely higher than the NIH pay scale for post-doc.

 

 

You think even an unpaid position would be hard to secure?

 

If you are talking about an unpaid position in the U.S., you will need to sort out 1. what VISA you will need to come to the U.S., and 2. what are the requirement are needed to qualified for that specific VISA.

 

You can expect that all the US VISAs require some sort of financial support -- meaning, you have to show evidence (such as bank statement) to show that you can support your expenses in the U.S. (F-1, business investment, etc.). Otherwise, you'll need an employment letter (paid position) to get a working VISA.

 

How about getting research experience in neighboring countries, or location(s) that has a less stringent VISA application?

Edited March 10, 2015 by aberrant

[Asimio]

 

 

If you are talking about an unpaid position in the U.S., you will need to sort out 1. what VISA you will need to come to the U.S., and 2. what are the requirement are needed to qualified for that specific VISA.

 

You can expect that all the US VISAs require some sort of financial support -- meaning, you can to show evidence (such as bank statement) to show that you can support your expense in the U.S. (F-1, business investment, etc.). Otherwise, you'll need an employment letter (paid position) to get a working VISA.

 

How about getting research experience in neighboring countries, all location(s) that has a less stringent VISA application?

The universities I got in contact with said they'd give me a J1, and yes I'd have to show evidence that I can support myself for the time I'm there (which I am able to) I'm just having difficulty engaging faculty. 

I'm going for neuroscience, so plan on seeing what's available in Singapore, China and Japan. I wonder how receptive they are, though Japan I feel will not be possible. I was doing my homework on some of the faculty and their sites and even some of their research is in Japanese!

[ballwera]

Have a lot of international RA's at my institution. In most places, the PI wouldn't be responsible for any of the visa issues. You are hired by the institution and simply working in the PIs lab.  You have to target large places who employ lots of RA's. Also, it wouldn't hurt to target PIs that have a similar background as you.  

[Asimio]

Have a lot of international RA's at my institution. In most places, the PI wouldn't be responsible for any of the visa issues. You are hired by the institution and simply working in the PIs lab.  You have to target large places who employ lots of RA's. Also, it wouldn't hurt to target PIs that have a similar background as you.  

Any leads of such institutions?

My situation is quite unorthodox, I'm transitioning from clinical medicine to basic research, so PI's are reluctant to consider me (so far). Just this morning I got a reply with the final lines reading:

 

In your case the distance from where you are starting to the work we do seems very great, and your stated plans on the cv seem really very distant from what we do... I have often been frustrated when people very different backgrounds visit, and often never get up to speed.  Thus I'm afraid I have no basis to think the prospects for success are high.

 

Which seems very understandable since the lab had a strong behavioural/mathematical tilt but as someone who is craving some research experience, it brings me down a little. 

[ballwera]

Any leads of such institutions?

My situation is quite unorthodox, I'm transitioning from clinical medicine to basic research, so PI's are reluctant to consider me (so far). Just this morning I got a reply with the final lines reading:

 

Which seems very understandable since the lab had a strong behavioural/mathematical tilt but as someone who is craving some research experience, it brings me down a little. 

 

Boston Children's, CHoP, really any of the large children's hospitals in the states. I see that you are transitioning from clinical medicine, do you have an MD or MBBS? If you do, I'd target a postdoc (which is likely easier to find). 

[Asimio]

Boston Children's, CHoP, really any of the large children's hospitals in the states. I see that you are transitioning from clinical medicine, do you have an MD or MBBS? If you do, I'd target a postdoc (which is likely easier to find). 

Yes, I have an MBBS. But an MBBS doesn't count as a doctorate degree, correct?

I'd have to push myself though the USMLEs for that. I just abandoned my long USMLE step 1 struggle recently after talking to two american professors and my USEFP (United States education federation Pakistan) advisor who convinced me that I'm better off doing something else with my time rather than toiling away at the library all day long.

So now I'm laboriously emailing faculty asking to volunteer in their labs as well as reading everything about the applications process in the hopes of finding way of improving my chances.

[ballwera]

Yes, I have an MBBS. But an MBBS doesn't count as a doctorate degree, correct?

I'd have to push myself though the USMLEs for that. I just abandoned my long USMLE step 1 struggle recently after talking to two american professors and my USEFP (United States education federation Pakistan) advisor who convinced me that I'm better off doing something else with my time rather than toiling away at the library all day long.

So now I'm laboriously emailing faculty asking to volunteer in their labs as well as reading everything about the applications process in the hopes of finding way of improving my chances.

 

I wouldn't quote me on this, but from what I understand an MBBS = MD (which is all you need for a postdoc) and USMLEs are only required if you plan to practice medicine. I would do some more research to confirm this though. 

[nutellarain]

Yes, I have an MBBS. But an MBBS doesn't count as a doctorate degree, correct?

I'd have to push myself though the USMLEs for that. I just abandoned my long USMLE step 1 struggle recently after talking to two american professors and my USEFP (United States education federation Pakistan) advisor who convinced me that I'm better off doing something else with my time rather than toiling away at the library all day long.

So now I'm laboriously emailing faculty asking to volunteer in their labs as well as reading everything about the applications process in the hopes of finding way of improving my chances.

Oh I didn't know you had an MBBS. I've worked with a few MBBS post-docs from India, I think you can definitely apply directly for a post doc in the US. One of my coworkers didn't even have any research experience before she started! She started as a volunteer though and became a paid postdoc after 3-4 months of working. Both of these people did not do the USMLEs since they wanted to go into research instead. 

[Asimio]

Oh I didn't know you had an MBBS. I've worked with a few MBBS post-docs from India, I think you can definitely apply directly for a post doc in the US. One of my coworkers didn't even have any research experience before she started! She started as a volunteer though and became a paid postdoc after 3-4 months of working. Both of these people did not do the USMLEs since they wanted to go into research instead. 

Woah, that sounds pretty cool. Still having no luck with finding a place to volunteer though, but am holding onto faith since there are loads of places to apply too.

I would still want to formally learn how to conduct research though, I feel I'd be heavily limiting myself if I didn't I feel. It's an excellent start though, have you ever heard of going post doc and then going for a doctorate? 

[nutellarain]

Woah, that sounds pretty cool. Still having no luck with finding a place to volunteer though, but am holding onto faith since there are loads of places to apply too.

I would still want to formally learn how to conduct research though, I feel I'd be heavily limiting myself if I didn't I feel. It's an excellent start though, have you ever heard of going post doc and then going for a doctorate? 

Actually, one of the post-doc MBBS left in September for a PhD program in Germany, so it is definitely possible. I suppose I should also mention that both of these people were already in the US when they were looking for jobs and thus probably had a much easier time landing a post-doc. If I were you I would just apply everywhere, email various PI's etc. 

 

We actually just took another postbac who went to med school in Egypt, but is taking a gap year before taking the USMLEs. Unfortunately, he is having visa issues (he is Iraqi and was applying for asylum) and is stuck in Washington DC at the moment. He applied to volunteer in our lab from overseas though! 

[Asimio]

There are so many people doing Neuroscience research, can you suggest any guidelines that would make the process of finding an interested PI faster? 

I often find many people doing work that I find interesting; should I be targeting any specific group of institutions/locations/etc?

[nutellarain]

Hmm, I don't work in neuroscience so I don't have any specific tips for that. Honestly, I would just email A LOT of people whose research aligns with your interests. You can look at universities or research institutes in areas you are interested in living in. When I was looking for a lab tech position, I just set quotas "I will apply to X jobs every day" and stuck with it until I found a job. It sucks and takes forever, but you will find someone eventually. Make you sure you mention you are willing to volunteer unpaid. 

[Asimio]

Hmm, I don't work in neuroscience so I don't have any specific tips for that. Honestly, I would just email A LOT of people whose research aligns with your interests. You can look at universities or research institutes in areas you are interested in living in. When I was looking for a lab tech position, I just set quotas "I will apply to X jobs every day" and stuck with it until I found a job. It sucks and takes forever, but you will find someone eventually. Make you sure you mention you are willing to volunteer unpaid. 

Hmm, will get on it ASAP. Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it.